Tao Te Ching #17: “Very great leaders in their domains”

Very great leaders in their domainsare only known to exist.Those next best are beloved and praised.The lesser are feared and despised.Therefore when faith is insufficientand there is disbelief,it is from the high value placed on words.Works are accomplished, tasks are completed,and ordinary folk all say they are acting spontaneously.

– Thomas Cleary

During the High Ages people knew they were therethen people loved and praised themthen they feared themfinally they despised themwhen honesty failsdishonesty prevailshesitate and weigh your wordswhen their work succeedslet people think they did it

– Red Pine

The best of ancient kings were in their kingdoms hardly known;Next the patriarchs, loved and widely praised.Next again those the people feared.Last come those whose abuse they endured,Who unworthy of trust were met with distrust.What care the ancients took with every word.Of tasks fulfilled and works of merit doneThe hundred families all declared,“This was no one’s doing but our own.”